New standards make AC electrification easier and cheaper
RSSB recognised that the rail industry needed clearer requirements and guidance on technical compatibility between rolling stock and the AC energy subsystem.
Moreover, it was recognised that the current suite of standards could better support duty holders to comply with national technical specification notices (NTSNs) to help achieve compatibility at a route level.
A multidisciplinary team was put together, composed of rolling stock and energy technical specialists. A two-stage approach was adopted to complete the project in the most efficient way.
The project team comprehensively reviewed the existing standards and ensured alignment with the EU exit legislative framework and industry needs.
In stage one of the project they identified the national technical rules pertaining to the energy and rolling stock subsystems.
In stage two of the project they updated the Railway Group Standards (RGSs) GMRT2111 and GLRT1210, so these standards only contained requirements in scope of an RGS. The other requirements not appropriate for an RGS were then either placed as guidance or rationale, or incorporated within two new standards, RIS-2715-RST issue one and RIS-1853-ENE issue one.
These new standards will deliver at least £27m of benefits to the rail industry in the next five years.
Lower permitted contact wire height will save over £23m by reducing rolling stock, electrification, and infrastructure interventions, such as fewer track lowering interventions, fewer bridge and tunnel interventions, and fewer bridge parapet interventions.
£2m will be saved by reducing the costs associated with design bodies assessments where the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 apply to a project, and by reducing the number of deviations required.
Further savings will be generated by improving reliability and operational performance, streamlining the assessment of clearances process, and facilitating technical compatibility assessments of vehicles being cascaded to other routes.